Mcgee Creek is one of our favorite spots in the Eastern Sierra for fall color. Most people avoid the area because the best views require you to hike and explore a bit. With Callie in tow, that is a requirement for us, so Mcgee Creek is a perfect fit.

The North Backbone trail hits the 3 highest peaks in the Angeles National Forest, stays above 8,000 feet for its entire length, offers great views of the most remote part of the San Gabriel Mountains, and manages to remain almost completely devoid of hikers. What’s the catch?

Every year around the end of September, foliage in the Eastern Sierra begins to turn color to signal the change in season. For a brief couple of weeks, the Sierra crest lights up with brilliant hues of red, orange, and yellow as Aspen groves transition towards fall. It is one of the most dazzling displays of nature found on the West Coast. Furthermore, the fact that this amazing explosion of seasonal color occurs in California, which is traditionally devoid of these types of scenes, makes the occasion even more special.